THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF ONLINE EDUCATION

1.0??????INTRODUCTION

In the last decade, the use of the Internet and various online tools/platforms to deliver learning and instruction has exploded. From traditional educational institutions adapting some of their courses for online instructions or adopting the internet mode to deliver some of their existing distance learning programmes to new educational companies/institutions creating various opportunities for students and the public to learn as well as acquire certification on various courses or fields of study. Furthermore, the expansive nature of the Internet and the accessibility of technology have increased the demand for web-based teaching and learning (Shea, 2019). In general, online learning is a fast-developing environment that gives users the freedom to work outside of time and location restrictions (Lee, 2017). Online learning, as described by Shea (2019), is learning that is conducted entirely or in part online. Many learners find online learning interesting, and it is increasingly prevalent in settings ranging from elementary to secondary schools to post-secondary education. This paper examines the usefulness as well as the effectiveness of online coursework. Furthermore, it discusses how online courses can replace traditional classroom teaching.

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2.0??????NATURE OF ONLINE EDUCATION

Online education, such as web-based teaching and learning environments, can appear acutely distinctive from one another. Online learning environments can be categorized into three main groups: fully web-based, blended or hybrid format, and traditional courses using web-based supplements (Gilbert, 2015: 3). Fully web-based courses are conducted entirely on the Internet with no face-to-face interaction, all aspects of the course being conducted in an online learning environment. Hybrid courses consist of both web-based and classroom sessions, with varying amounts of time allotted to the online and in-class sessions, depending on the class’s nature and the instructor’s discretion. The last programming format uses online technology as a medium for presenting supplemental material for traditional classroom study.

It is critical to understand that the term “online learning” is not a single description that would encompass all assets of online learning environments. Web-based learning environments are as diverse and complex as traditional classroom settings, with each learning environment functioning slightly different (Gilbert, 2015).

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3.0??????ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE EDUCATION

The implementation of online learning or education has been favourable in multiple contexts. Previous studies have presented several advantages associated with implementing online learning technologies into university education (Raspopovic et al., 2017; Müller & Mildenberger, 2021). Online learning has been viewed as the ability to focus on the requirements of individual learners. For instance, focusing on the needs of individual learners can deliver knowledge in the digital age effectively as compared to educational institutions’ needs or instructors (Chan et al., 2021). Objectives can be achieved in the shortest time with the least effort through online learning. When managing the online learning environment, its effect on educational learning is observed in providing equal access to the information regardless of users’ locations, ethnic origins, races, and ages. The environment for online learning also helps students or learners to rely on themselves so that instructors are no longer the solitary knowledge source; instead, they serve as guides and advisors (Gao et al., 2017).

Several studies have shown the positive effects of online learning from the insights of learners or students (Chan et al., 2021; Müller & Mildenberger, 2021). For instance, online learning allows observing many flexible learning ways to go to classes with the much-reduced need for travel. Learners can get deeper insights of the information through activities carried out in the classroom through interactive video facilities ((Chan et al., 2021; Müller & Mildenberger, 2021). This allows learners to respond promptly to the activities.

It is also observed that online learning systems allow enhanced communication between students and instructors. Part-time and full-time students can actively participate in the online degree courses selected from any location or place, providing people who are travelling or relocated with an easily accessible resource for experience and learning (Janot, 2018). The integration and use of online learning offer disabled people an opportunity to advance their education from any location.

Additionally, online education provides excellent quality learning opportunities. Course materials are accessible all the time, enabling students to read and re-read discussions, lectures and explanations. This provides students with the chance to take time to compose their thoughts on lectures. Online education also allows students to mix and match courses. For instance, students can take different courses simultaneously from different universities renowned for offering excellent courses in different areas (Gilbert, 2015; Dhawan, 2020). For instance, they can take simultaneous management courses at one university and social science courses at another.

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4.0??????THE FUTURE OF ONLINE EDUCATION GLOBALLY

The recent COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted all sectors, including government, tourism, health, business, and education. Simultaneously, this outbreak has changed services and how they are delivered (Rapanta et al., 2020). The pandemic forced many corporations, including educational institutions, to develop effective online strategies to deliver their services (Dhawan, 2020). This change has seen educational institutions switching to their online platforms, and some agencies have also offered financial incentives to attract this form of education. In post-secondary education, online learning is explained as learning that takes place entirely or partially over the Internet (Gilbert, 2015). As noted in the preceding paragraphs, online learning has benefited numerous learners and appears more common in elementary to high schools and post-secondary education settings.

Prior to the pandemic, the majority of the classes in traditional brick-and-mortar schools were offered in an entirely face-to-face format. The face-to-face format has many benefits; this teaching modality provides in-person, real-time interaction between faculty-students and student-student, which in turn can spark innovative questions and conversations (Paul & Jefferson, 2019). Students have an opportunity to seek clarification or response to their questions in their classroom. Nonetheless, while there are several benefits of on-campus classes, one cannot ignore how rapidly universities, elementary schools, and other higher education institutions transitioned to online learning to continue instruction during the COVID-19 crisis (Singh & Matthees, 2021). Online learning has thus become a convenient and inexpensive way to acquire knowledge while pursuing higher education, offering flexibility in scheduling and timing in online education as another fundamental benefit that has come out clearly to favour the quest for online education.

Unlike classroom learning, the interactions over online courses are more international, and users enjoy the benefit of conversations on forums and interviews with students from other countries by using web-conferencing technology (Kruger-Ross & Waters, 2013). It must be noted that students prefer face-to-face contact with the instructors, who are the focal point of their learning and builds understanding, ensuring feedback and guaranteed summary immediately (Paul & Jefferson, 2019). Like the traditional education environment, online education also offers the advantage of establishing social relations (Müller & Mildenberger, 2021).

Additionally, traditional classroom education is complex, multi-layered, and has a social experience, which helps foster friendship, connection and satisfaction among the students. Social community is considered relatively poorly experienced in online learning due to learners’ disconnection and could probably cause isolation (Müller & Mildenberger, 2021). Even with the rapid growth in online learning, little is known about the students offering these online courses, especially as regards their preferences and perspectives. This plays a vital role in the learning environment and hence has to be given adequate attention (Gilbert, 2015; Paul & Jefferson, 2019).

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5.0??????CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it can be seen that online learning is used to offer instructional programs to distant learners, and it is a platform that emerges in a formal context and utilizes a variety of multimedia technologies. Also seen is that electronic hardware and software support this system offline or online. Generally, online learning is based on technology for improving classroom engagement through a positive environment, where students are deliberately engaged in online tutorials to complete a task assigned to them.

Online learning ensures that students are entirely involved as learning takes place together with texts, videos, sounds, collaborative sharing, and interactive graphics. It may enhance the quality of teaching and learning, report the need for higher institutions to maintain competitive advantage, and access to education and training in this globalizing marketplace for students. The integration of information technology (IT) in the form of online learning has reduced student costs while improving the quality of learning and teaching. This shows that online learning can be economical for students using it, and they can perform other beneficial activities in their spare time.

Flexibility is another significant advantage of online learning as it provides learners with the benefit of taking classes anywhere and anytime. Furthermore, online cater to different types and varieties of learning approaches by utilizing much interactive content available on the Internet. The accessibility of technology and the expansive nature of the Internet have generated a surge in web-based learning and teaching. Online learning is an increasingly expanding environment, which enables users the flexibility to operate outside the barriers of place and time.

The need for flexible learning environments for potential learners who are hospitalized, have phobias linked to school environments, are single parents, have been expelled, are dropouts seeking to gain a diploma, and many other specific cases have led to a growth in the amount of distance learning courses and programs that are offered. Online learning has the potential to create educational opportunities for individuals who may have faced unsurpassable barriers prior to the expansion of online educational programs.

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References

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